7th March 2025

British Collie held their Ch show at Stoneleigh with plenty of room for all who attended and following the recent AGM, was headed by new Secretary, Jayne Llewellyn who kindly sent me a copy of the marked catalogue. Along with holding a Champions Parade, the issue of the Ladypark Puppy Trophy, distribution of the Annual Book of Remembrance, it was quite a busy time for all but was quite a long day.  I understand that the refreshments were, as normal, superb being supplied by Tracey Wilkinson and helpers and many comments  have been made concerning these. The Champions parade, for which all entrants received a lovely named rosette had 16 entries, with 8 Roughs and 8 Smooth collies, some of whom competed in their classes during the day, others came to let everyone see them.
The Ladypark Puppy Trophy, competed for during the preceding year was won by Melissa Lockyear who in fact had 3 of the first placings. Won by Gataj Exotic Girl who accumulated 97 points, in 2nd was Salsina Red Hot Crush with 62 equal with Tiganlea Turned To Black. Followed by Gataj Lewis Capaldi on 45 points. Roughrigg Rags was on 40, just beating Geosamka Loves to Love at Ithilien by 1 point. Mejola Top Gun gained 37 points with Aaronwell Abel Mabel, Avonfair Aloysius, Thistlewing Gold Mist, Serenlas Truly Scrumptious, Hanvale Patsy Stone and finally Takhisis Daggers at Dawn with 29 points.
The Annual Book of Remembrance, a lovely tribute to those who had passed in the previous year contains some names for who the Collie World owes so much and should anyone wish a copy, please contact Jayne or Jo Hodges for this item.
Now to the judging, with both Roughs and Smooth Collies scheduled with CC status the Smooths were judged by Abby Lusty (on I think her first appointment) resulted in BOB going to the winner of Veteran, Koczkodan Serenity, with Trevor Hayward taking the DCC with his sable youngster, Wynele Double Trouble at Foxearth.
Rough dogs had Vanessa Cronk (Chelborn) centre stage. Vanessa last judged at Belfast in 2021 where she officiated over both sexes and prior to this, her first appointment was at CCW in 2018 where she judged bitches.
Here is a list of her class winners: Veteran, (4) Alex Mills and  Lynmack Starman at Lemivee, following his many recent wins in this class;  Sue Randal piloted their latest blue merle boy, Ladnar Call My Name, to win the MP class of 3. Puppy had 5 present and was won by Miranda Blake and Corydon the Baronet, at his first Ch show and he also won Maiden and Novice; Junior had 7 present and this went to Brian and Odile’s Beldones Ivory Star; Gemheid Chestnut  won Graduate class of 5 for Mr & Mrs Dawson from Essex. Siluto Blue Wizzard at Amberwish and Yvonne Ross, took PG with 2 entries and Sue Howard made the trip over from her new home on the Isle of Man and won ML also with 2 entries, won with Ladnar Dreamchaser for co-owners Newton & Patterson. Limit had 3 entries was won by Phreelancer Phinal Salute, actually owned by Charlotte & Denisa Vescan but I was told he was handled by breeder, Lene Newman and Open was John Blake with his sable Corydon Christopher won over the remaining 5 entries.
The CC, his first, following an excellent puppy career went to Brian, handling Beldones Ivory Star, A sable, homebred sired by Ch Camanna Codename out of Beldones Ebony and Ivory and he has only just celebrated his birthday, having been born on Feb 24th
RDCC, adding another to his tally was Phreelancer Phinal Salute, another sable, sired by Ch Corydon The Ringleader out of Ch Phreelancer Phaith Hill and he was born 4th April 2021. BPD went to Miranda and Corydon The Baronet, sired by Corydon the Baron out of Corydon Agatha Cristal with Kelekona and BV went to Alex and her sable boy.
Now to the ladies, the judge for these was Mike Vincent who holds the Sylbecq affix and was, at some time quite an influence in Smooth Collies. He last judged in 2023 at Birmingham Dog show and these were his class winners:
Veteran (2), Marianne Benton and Ch Brooklynson Jayne Russell of Oakestelle VW ShCEx; MP had 5 present and winning this was a very thrilled Linda Gautrey with Chantique Pixie Ring. Puppy followed and from the 4 present, Melissa Lockyear and Gataj All That Glitters took 1st.  A quick change of leads, helped by daughter, Alicia, Gataj Exotic Girl and Melissa won Junior; Maiden had just one entrant, Ambartr’s Dignity and Pride who had been placed in a previous class. Novice went to another from a previous class, this was Tremaro Million Dollar Baby. Graduate had 9 entries, and Simon Walder took this class with Hanvale Patsy Stone. 4 ladies competed in PG and this was won by Tremaro Kind of Magic for Rob & Margaret Shipp. Liz Patman and Riverside Song Ice Cream Dream won the ML class of 4 present. Limit followed and this had 7 competing and yet another class went to Melissa with Gataj All That Sparkles. Open was won by Jim McCarte handling Roughrigg Remember Me.
The CC was awarded to Morag & Jim with Roughrigg Remember Me, following on from her RBCC gained at SKC from Dermot Timmins back in 2022. She is a repeat of the mating that produced Ch R. Rag’n’ Bone Man, as she is sired by Lynmack Walk All Over You at Roughrigg out of Beldones Fun n Games at Roughrigg and she is known at home as Rhe. A lovely message from Morag confirmed all this but also let me know that once again their journey down from Scotland was again eventful, as they were held up due to an accident on the motorway and their journey down actually took 8 hours, but they and their CC winner managed home without any further issues.
Thanks to Simon Walder who did let me know, that he had a lovely surprise when handling his and Hannah’s homebred sable, Hanvale Patsy Stone to take the RBCC. She is sired by Hanvale Arthur Shelby out of Tamira’s Miracles Cornflake Girl for Hanvale (Imp Hungary) and celebrates her 2nd birthday in June. BPB went to Gataj All That Glitters.
The judge for BOB/BIS was Valerie Geddes and her choice for BOB fell to Brian and Odile’s Beldones Ivory Star, with BPIB falling to Corydon The Baronet and BVIB to Marianne and Keira.
In the final competition, BIS and taking home the outstanding and much sought-after BIS Challenge Trophy (*and not for the first time as Beldones annexed this before) went to Beldones Ivory Star.  RBIS and BVIS went to the Smooth Collie, and BPIS to Miranda and Corydon The Baronet.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com